We lost 1,878 persons to Fulani attack, Benue governor cries to UN

BENUE State governor Samuel Ortom has stated that over 1,878 people were killed and 200 still missing during the Fulani herdsmen attack of the state within three years.

Ortom gave this hint on Wednesday while playing host to the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees UNCHR country representative, Edward Kallon.

The governor in the data he presented to the UN representative further disclosed that 750 persons were critically injured and over 99,427 households affected in the Fulani herdsmen attack of the state with property worth billions of naira destroyed.

He lamented that in 2014 alone, over N95 billion worth of property were destroyed in ten local government areas of the state.

The governor however said that the constant attacks were caused when crops of Benue farmers were usually eaten up by the herdsmen, decrying the assault and battery on the agricultural communities of the Benue valley which he said poses great threat on the food security of the nation.

“Between 2013/2016 alone, Fulani herdsmen killed more than 1,878 men, women and children in cold blood from twelve local government areas of Benue state.

“Another 750 were seriously wounded while 200 are missing. Over 99,427 households were affected in Benue state and property worth billions of naira destroyed.

“In 2014 alone, the destruction recorded across ten local governments in Benue state exceeded N95 billion”.

Ortom appealed to the UN representative to assist supporting the state towards the implementation of durable solutions to insecurity, violence and displacement of people of the state.